CBSE Class 10 Social Science Democratic Politics – II: Popular Struggles and Movements NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter delves into the crucial role of popular struggles and movements in a democracy, focusing on Political Science for Class 10 students. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed explanations of how pressure groups and movements influence politics, the various forms of relationships between these groups and political parties, and why their activities are essential for a functioning democratic government. It clarifies the distinction between pressure groups and political parties, offering examples and highlighting the unique features of pressure groups. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of citizen participation beyond formal elections and understand how collective action shapes policy and governance, making them an invaluable resource for exam preparation and a deeper understanding of democratic processes.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Political Science (Democratic Politics – II) - Popular Struggles and Movements

Chapter summary

This chapter focuses on the dynamics of popular struggles and movements in a democracy. It explains the concept of pressure groups, their methods of influencing politics, and their relationship with political parties. The solutions clarify the essential differences between pressure groups and political parties, emphasizing that pressure groups aim to influence policy without directly seeking political power. Key examples and the functional importance of these groups in a democratic setup are discussed, providing students with a clear understanding of non-electoral political participation.

Learning outcomes

Understand the various ways pressure groups and movements influence political processes.
Identify and describe the different forms of relationships between pressure groups and political parties.
Explain the significance of pressure groups in the functioning of a democratic government.
Differentiate between a pressure group and a political party.
Recognize examples of pressure groups and their objectives.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Popular Struggles and Movements
Pressure Groups
Movements
Influence on Politics
Relationship between Pressure Groups and Political Parties
Forms of Pressure Group Activities
Lobbying
Strikes and Disruptions
Public Support Campaigns
Sectional Interest Groups
Democratic Government Functioning
Distinction between Pressure Groups and Political Parties

Important topics

Role and influence of pressure groups
Methods used by pressure groups
Relationship with political parties
Difference between pressure groups and political parties
Importance in a democracy

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?

Solution: Pressure groups and movements employ several strategies to influence political processes and government decisions. These include:

Gaining Public Support: They conduct information campaigns, organise public meetings, and submit petitions to garner support and sympathy for their cause among the general population.
Creating Urgency: By organising disruptive actions such as strikes, they aim to disrupt normal functioning, thereby compelling the government to acknowledge and address their demands.
Lobbying: They engage in lobbying, which involves directly interacting with government officials and policymakers to persuade them to adopt policies favourable to their interests.
Influencing Party Policies: The issues and concerns raised by these groups often find their way into the agendas of political parties, leading to shifts in party policies and manifestos.

Question 2

Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?

Solution: The relationship between pressure groups and political parties can manifest in various forms:

Affiliation and Leadership: Many pressure groups, particularly trade unions and student organisations in India, are either established by political parties or maintain close affiliations with them, often sharing leadership or ideological alignment.
Origin of Parties: Some political parties emerge directly from social movements. For instance, regional parties like the DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu originated from popular movements.
Policy Adoption: Political parties often adopt the issues and demands raised by pressure or movement groups. This can lead to changes in the parties' platforms and policies, reflecting the concerns of these organised groups.

Question 3

Explain how the activities of pressure groups are useful in the functioning of a democratic government.

Solution: Pressure groups play a vital role in the effective functioning of a democratic government in several ways:

They provide a crucial platform for marginalised or less powerful sections of society to voice their opinions and concerns, which might otherwise be overlooked. In situations where government policies could be unduly influenced by a small, powerful, or wealthy elite, pressure groups act as a counterbalance. They advocate for the interests of broader segments of society, pushing the government to formulate policies that are more inclusive and beneficial to various groups, thereby promoting a more equitable distribution of benefits and representation.

Question 4

What is a pressure group? Give a few examples.

Solution: A pressure group is an organisation formed by individuals who share common interests or opinions and come together to influence government policies. They typically use methods such as protests, demonstrations, and advocacy to achieve their objectives. Examples of pressure groups include FEDECOR (Federation of Development Organisations) and BAMCEF (All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation).

Question 5

What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?

Solution: The fundamental difference between a pressure group and a political party lies in their primary objective regarding political power. Political parties aim to directly gain political power by contesting elections and forming the government. In contrast, pressure groups do not seek to directly control or share political power; instead, their goal is to influence the policies and decisions of those in power.

Question 6

Organisations that undertake activities to promote the interests of specific social sections such as workers, employees, teachers, and lawyers are called ______ groups.

Solution: Organisations that undertake activities to promote the interests of specific social sections such as workers, employees, teachers, and lawyers are called sectional interest groups.

Question 7

Which among the following is the special feature that distinguishes a pressure group from a political party?

Parties take political stances, while pressure groups do not bother about political issues.
Pressure groups are confined to a few people, while parties involve larger number of people.
Pressure groups do not seek to get into power, while political parties do.
Pressure groups do not seek to mobilise people, while parties do.

Solution: The special feature that distinguishes a pressure group from a political party is that pressure groups do not seek to get into power, while political parties do. Political parties contest elections with the aim of forming a government, whereas pressure groups focus on influencing government policies without directly participating in the electoral process to gain power.

Common mistakes

Confusing the objectives of pressure groups with those of political parties.
Underestimating the influence of non-electoral groups on policy-making.
Not recognizing the diverse methods used by pressure groups to exert influence.

Revision tips

Focus on the key differences between pressure groups and political parties.
Understand the various methods pressure groups use to influence government.
Recall the examples provided to illustrate the concepts.
Connect the role of these groups to the broader functioning of democracy.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is a primary method used by pressure groups to gain public support?

Q2. What is a key distinction between a pressure group and a political party?

Q3. Which of the following is an example of a pressure group's action to make the government take note of their demands?

Q4. Some political parties in India, like DMK and AIADMK, are mentioned as having grown out of which?

Q5. What is the primary function of 'sectional interest groups'?

Frequently asked questions

What is a pressure group?

A pressure group is an organisation formed by people with similar opinions and objectives, which attempts to influence government policies through various means like protests, demonstrations, and lobbying, without directly seeking to control political power.

How do pressure groups influence politics?

Pressure groups influence politics by gaining public support through campaigns and petitions, organising strikes and disruptions to draw attention to their demands, and lobbying policymakers. Their issues often influence the policies of political parties.

What is the main difference between a pressure group and a political party?

The main difference is that political parties aim to directly control or share political power by contesting elections, whereas pressure groups do not seek to get into power themselves but aim to influence those who are in power.

Are all pressure groups affiliated with political parties?

Not necessarily, but many pressure groups, especially trade unions and student organisations in India, are either formed by or affiliated with major political parties. However, some operate independently.

Why are pressure groups considered useful in a democracy?

Pressure groups are useful because they provide a voice for marginalised sections of society, help prevent government bias towards powerful groups, and ensure that policies benefit a wider range of societal sections.

Can movements turn into political parties?

Yes, the text mentions that political parties can sometimes grow out of movements. Examples like DMK and AIADMK illustrate this transformation.

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